ANOTHER ATLANTIC RECORD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 72, 14 March 1908, Page 4

ANOTHER ATLANTIC RECORD

I'll'S AllOAltU THE LI'SITAXIA.

Among the many "records" achieved by the two greatest of the world's ships, the Lusitania and the Mauretauia, belonging to the Cuuaril line, the former vessel established one 011 her maiden voyage which lias never been recognised, liy general consent of those best quiililied to judge, the initial trip of the laisitania from Liverpool to Xew York was pronounced 10 have been a record one in the matter of "tips." Never before ill the history of Atlan-

lie voyaging had such lavisliness of " largesse'' been experienced by the small army of stewards who ministered to the comfort of her '2,200 passengers. (If this floating population, of 'course, some 1,200 were third-class passengers, who would contribute comparatively little to tile grand total of perquisites, but the remaining 1,000 first and neeondeabin passengers represent a huge potentiality in the matter of tips. There were, ol course, peculiai reasons why a large proportion of the saloon patrons of the Lusitania on her initial trip should dispense bounty with unprecedented prodigality. Many of them had booked their passages on board of her in preference to any other steamer, largely because they desired to share in the honour of the occasion. Not only was the Lusitania the largest

ship alloat. but she was confidently <jx« petted to prove herself also the speediest. Though it was not until her next westward voyage that the Lusitanhi wrested from th« (lermans "the blue riband of the Atlantic" by easily boating t'hr average speed record previously held by the Kaiser Wilhelm ll.—North Herman Lloyd—the great Otmardor suflifi;MUly gratitied \n» r admirers and all I hose who took part in her initial trip, by establishing two records—namely, that for the quickest laud to land run

and that for the fastest maiden voyage ever accomplished. These were sufficient grounds for elation and excitement-, and the stewards were not forgotten in the genial tendency to celebrate *0 unique an occasion.

On the big ships of the principal lines there is virtually a. graduated scale "f tips. This fact U so generally recognised. indeed, that shipping agents are commonly asked by intending passengers who have not previously crossed "the herring pond" what are the sums they will be expected to give. The gratuities commonly range from tiv -liillings cadi to such dignitaries as the -moke-room and Wd-ronin c wards, dowu to half-a-cro\vn to the humble bootblack.

In the ca->e of higher grade steward's, the-M- substantial perquisites often make their positions worth as much as fifty pounds a voyage, although their salaries amount to no more than three or fouY pounds a month. One popular smokeroom steward on board a favourite "greyhound of the Atlantic" is known to enjoy an income of fully one thou--1 sand pounds a year,"almost all of which is. of course, derived from tips. He is thus in receipt of a far greater remuneration than that of anv of the quarterdvck o(Vicer> of the vessel, except only the captain, and his earnings aggregate not far short- of even this official's i emolument! I

Mention has boon made of humble bootblack." This phrase is ii> deed incompatible with the desirability of the office from a monetary Maudpoint. Though rated on the ships books at a salary of one shilling a month, the Micome of a bootblack on a great ocean liner often runs into hundreds a year.

Passengers, however, whose financial | resources are limited, view the tipping |-vslem with disapprobation. Not only does it entail a considerable addition to their travelling bill, but they allege that, at all events. Mime luxuries, such a- the choicest fruit at table, are practically purchased by the more wealthy voyagers by moans of special tips, to the deprivation of the less opulent.